Content warning: trauma and assault
Many of the women we support, particularly women who are experiencing homelessness, don’t have access to clean water for toothbrushing and maintaining good oral health.
If they are street sex-working all night, they can struggle to keep to rigid appointment systems during the day, often going without healthcare and dental care.
For women who have been assaulted and experienced trauma to the face or mouth, invasive dental procedures can bring these experiences back.
This summer, we took part in a pilot project with Bristol Dental School and the charity Bridge2Aid, which aimed to improve access to dental care for women who street sex work.
The students visited the One25 hub to share advice about dental hygiene and learn more about the barriers women face to accessing dental care.
Six women then visited Bristol Dental School for treatment, accompanied by One25 staff. Treatment was tailored to each woman and included X-rays, filings, extractions and advice about dentures.
Learn more about the pilot in our interview with One25 CEO Jenny, Sheanna from Bridge2Aid and Phil from Bristol Dental School.
As well as providing much-needed dental treatment for women, the project helped to increase students’ understanding of trauma and how to provide inclusive care for people facing multiple disadvantages.
"[The women] spoke about how supportive, understanding and compassionate the students were - unfortunately women do not often receive such kind treatment."
- Rachel, Head of Services, One25
In August, One25 Head of Services, Rachel, and two women were interviewed by the BBC about the pilot.
